Insights
Browse our insights library for articles, videos, easy-to-read reports and nifty infographics. You might even see where Akerlof has popped up in industry media. We’ve included filters so you can get straight to what you need… we’re helpful like that.
No results found
Conversations that count
Step into Katie's shoes as she leads stakeholder engagement and cultivates valuable conversations to drive the DLUHC MMC project forward
The Platform Journey
With the brilliant Churton Studio, we’ve released 'the Platform Journey'... a story of delivering better outcomes for people and the planet. It’s 100% AI Generated, but not beyond the realm of possibility
Constructing homes, rebuilding lives
PRESS RELEASE: New research adds fuel to the case for accelerating the delivery of new social housing
B Corp Impact Report 2022
In 2022 we were thrilled to be accredited as a B Corporation. This report tracks our ongoing progress, as we continue to strive to deliver betters.
Striking the balance: differentiation vs similarity
What nature can teach us about individuality and collective success
Digital kit of parts stakeholder engagement findings
Over 100 industry experts give us their view on the barriers and opportunities for a digital kit of parts and standardisation for MMC in low-rise housing
Insolvency
The lifespan of a modular company is ______?
LD Events Interview with Rob Littlewood
Now is the time for modern methods of construction (MMC) in the Residential Market
MMC Standardisation and Kit of Parts
PRESS RELEASE: Open-source kit of parts will advance the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) across the housing sector
Platforms in the Wild
With the Tier 1 market fraught with challenges, the adoption of product platforms may unlock long-terms benefits, assuming organisations can wait that long
The Platform Rulebook 1.2
The updated Product Platform Rulebook addresses the Government’s ambitions to accelerate the adoption of platform solutions – boosting productivity, innovation and quality
Small but mighty: how being a B Corp shapes our culture as an SME
This B Corp month, Katie Rudin reflects on what it means to be an SME, and how our small scale and focus on delivering betters has created a culture that values both value and values!
Penny Anderson joins Social Value UK Board
Social Value UK announces that our Head of Social Value, Penny Anderson, has recently joined their Board of Directors.
5 Minutes with Ellie Jenkins
Building Magazine speaks with Ellie on her work developing the Value Toolkit, making good ideas work at scale, the problem with tall buildings and her love of Welsh beaches
Jewellery Quarter Visioning Report
Visioning statements that demonstrate how the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Plan could be implemented in areas most in need of reconnection or regeneration
New Guidance Launched on Optimising ESG in the World of Offsite and MMC
PRESS RELEASE: A new report published by the Supply Chain Sustainability School, Akerlof and the University of Salford
Delivering Social Value Through Offsite Construction
A new report published by the Supply Chain Sustainability School, Akerlof and the University of Salford
The Value Toolkit: a journey to value-based decision making
Our Partner, Ellie Jenkins, explains in this video how we engaged with industry to develop, test and roll out the Value Toolkit
Product Platform Rulebook drives a path from development to deployment
PRESS RELEASE: The Construction Innovation Hub has published the first edition Product Platform Rulebook, following consultation with over 200 industry and government stakeholders
MMC Guidance Note
Akerlof contributed to the drafting this guidance note, which improves and clarifies what is needed to contract for work delivered using MMC and platform approaches
The Platform Rulebook
A blueprint for developing and implementing product platforms for current and future market players
Specification Maturity Report
An assessment framework to help government bodies assess the maturity of their technical specifications against best practice, and create a routemap for improvement
Construction Platforms in Healthcare Report
By mapping £20bn NHS capital works projects (over £1m) since 2010, we provide insights and recommendations for the planned 40 new hospitals
Great Western Railway ESG Report
GWR commissions Akerlof to assess their social impact using the new Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) Rail ESG Tool
Carbon Reduction Champion at the 2022 Construction News Awards
PRESS RELEASE: Akerlof, Forterra and PCE collaboration recognised as Carbon Reduction Champion at the 2022 Construction News Awards
Toolkit launched to help industry make better decisions based on value
Our Partner and integrated project lead at the Construction Innovation Hub, Ellie Jenkins, speaks at the Value Toolkit launch in Westminster
The Platform Rulebook – Draft for Consultation
A blueprint for developing and implementing product platforms for current and future market players
Supply Chain Sustainability School Decarbonising Precast Concrete Webinar
Our partner John Handscomb leads a Supply Chain Sustainability School lunch 'n' learn to share insights from our Decarbonising Precast Concrete project
Building Brum Podcast
Akerlof Partners Jamie Hillier and Ellie Jenkins join the Building Brum podcast to discuss their work around value-based decision making and MMC
DfMA: The Implications For Architectural Practices
In this training video, our Founding Partner, Jamie Hiller, discusses what existing and new skills architects need to lead the transformation to modern methods of construction
DfMA: Clients, Value and Procurement
In this training video, our Founding Partner, Jamie Hiller, explains value-based decision-making and how it can deliver better outcomes
DfMA: The Latest Thinking
In this training video, our Founding Partner, Jamie Hiller, discusses new guidance and initiatives including the Construction Innovation Hub and Construction Playbook
The MMC Categories
Our Founding Partner, Jamie Hiller, talks through the 7 categories of MMC, with examples of construction methods included within each
Beautiful Design Delivered Efficiently
The announcement of Kingston University - Townhouse as winner of 2021 RIBA Stirling Prize reaffirms that modern methods of construction and architectural aesthetic are not mutually exclusive
DfMA Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work
Akerlof contributed to this publication, which sets out the latest thinking on Design for Manufacture and Assembly for architects and construction professionals
80 Years of Reports
We profiled Government Construction Reports over the past 80 years to identify trends, patterns and changes in themes - download our infographic
80 Years of Reports
The IPA’s Transforming Infrastructure Performance: Roadmap to 2030 is the latest in over 80 years of construction industry reports published by Government. We reflect on the past, to identify lessons for the future
Transforming Infrastructure Performance: Roadmap to 2030 Report
A vision for the future where we prioritise societal outcomes through the use of modern digital approaches and technologies
Decarbonising Precast Concrete Report
Our Decarbonising Precast Concrete project demonstrated 40% savings against the embodied carbon (measured against ICE database) of existing solutions
Decarbonising Precast Concrete Project featured on Sky News
Sky News Daily Climate Show describes how our Decarbonising Precast Concrete project identified processes that could reduce carbon emissions by up to 40%
Decarbonising Precast Concrete Project Promotional Video
Our collaborative teams explains how this UK-funded project could help companies to achieve a 40% reduction in carbon emissions associated with precast concrete
Decarbonising Precast Concrete
PRESS RELEASE: Led by Akerlof, a collaborative team spanning the value chain has worked to develop commercially viable processes that significantly reduce the embodied carbon of precast concrete
The Value Toolkit
This month marks the beta-testing phase of the Hub’s Value Toolkit - a suite of tools and processes designed to enable informed value-based decisions that drive better social, economic and environmental outcomes.
Better Business
At Akerlof, we strive to look beyond seeking differentiation and instead to make a difference. To deliver not just goods but betters. To enshrine our commitment to these principles we have become a Certified B Corporation (B Corp).
MMC: Challenging Organisations to Adapt
Innovation doesn’t have to mean bold new technologies and solutions. And yet making small changes to the pieces of the puzzle can still often necessitate a rethink in how the puzzle fits together …. not always to the advantage of established players.
R&D Tax Credits
Big Bill Werbeniuk’s habit of downing at least six pints before a snooker match was medically certified and in turn tax deductible. Qualification for tax relief is rarely so colourful, however the opportunity for R&D and innovation is no less important.
Levelling Up
Levelling up shouldn’t be perceived as a political catchphrase but a call to action. The construction industry holds a key role in addressing regional inequality - we explain why and how it can lead impactful change that serves to address social imbalance.
Defining the Need Report
Identifying the extensive market opportunity for platform construction systems across social infrastructure
This Job is Not For You
We are looking for a project manager to join our team Akerlof. We are a small, nimble business, with team members that are great at what they do. We hold our culture dearly and don’t invite individuals to join our fold lightly. We want the very best.
MMC: A New Industry Norm
In 2020, MMC reached a tipping point . As many self-reflect around how they may apply MMC to transform their businesses, we look towards building the market momentum to support our industry to deliver better outcomes.
MMC: An Opportunity for SMEs
SMEs represent the lifeblood of the construction industry and the heart of both local and national economic growth. Taking steps to grow by applying MMC can be daunting however, especially when you are small.
PMV: A Cautionary Tale of Targets
PMV is the proportion of offsite construction as a percentage of the total measured works on a project. A good measure in defining a projects adoption of MMC, it has the potential to shape the direction of our industry... intentionally or otherwise.
Two Types of Knowledge
In 2018 Nigel Richards, a man from New Zealand, memorised every French word in the French scrabble dictionary and won the French Scrabble Championship …. all without speaking any French.
Designing to the Edges, not Averages
Logic encourages us to focus on the majority - to aggregate demand and provide solutions for the middle of the market. Innovation and differentiation however is realised by stretching the extremities.
But I Wore the Juice!
In 1995, a middle-aged man named McArthur Wheeler walked into two banks near his home in Pittsburgh and robbed them at gunpoint. He almost got away with it—except for one critical flaw in his plan: The disguise he chose didn't disguise him at all.
An Introduction to the Value Toolkit Report
This document provides an introduction to the Value Toolkit – what it is, what it will deliver and how it will be used
Sizing the box
Adopting platform-based solutions, through a P-DfMA approach, is hoped by many to transform the construction industry. In developing new platforms, we reflect upon what lessons history teaches us - from those that standardised the shipping container.
Culture as Competitive Advantage
Technical solutions can often be developed in a vacuum; without consideration to their context and the behaviors of those of whom apply them. Understanding and leveraging cultural norms however, to shift the frame of reference, can create a competitive advantage.
Quantifying Benefits of Offsite Construction
In supporting industry R&D, Akerlof provided input to CIRIA in their research report on “Quantifying the Benefits of Offsite Construction”. Originally intended to demonstrate the impact of MMC, this research study reaffirms the need for a consistent data collation framework.
COVID-19: Recovery Reinvented
As the impact of COVID-19 continues to evolve, read the second in our series of guidance notes, supporting construction leaders evaluate the landscape, the risks of market volatility and opportunities for reinvention in a ‘new normal’.
World’s First Prefabricated Hospital
Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Renkioi Hospital was world’s first prefabricated hospital. Pioneering in its technical design, it illustrates the importance of not only doing things better but also doing better things.
COVID-19: Strength through Adversity
STRATECOVID-19 represents a unprecedented global public health emergency. It is also an economic crisis - one that could portend the Great Recession of 2007-2009. Akerlof have prepared a guidance note, to support leaders navigate through uncharted terrritory and develop strength in the face of adversity.
Bird Brain? How Pigeons identified Breast Cancer as well as Humans
The Fourth Industrial Revolution promises to disrupt labor markets and the profile of skills. However how does our perspective on automation and adoption of modern methods change when we substitute AI with pigeons.
MMC Calculator
As a pioneering innovation to social value investment, Akerlof, announce their partnership with Social Profit Calculator, Rider Levitt Bucknall, Pagabo and Kier, to develop an MMC calculator that enable business’ to support the UK in ‘Levelling Up’.
The Toilet that Sunk the Submarine
Technology has the potential to disrupt …. positively and negatively. At Akerlof, we work to ensure that in applying modern solutions, the context is understood; history shows however that not everyone adopts this approach.
Supporting Action to tackle Climate Emergency
The impact of climate change is clear and present. The built environment sector holds the knowledge and skills to address the climate emergency however more immediate action is required to mitigate the ‘tragedy of the horizons’.
As Smart as a One-Legged Man on an Escalator
Taking cues, confidence and trust from our environment, from other people, on how to act is both natural and instinctive. Social norms influence our behaviour and shape our perception of risk.
Language of MMC: Shaping our Perception
At Akerlof, we understand the importance of plain language. We simplify complex concepts into clear terms and enable informed decisions. We use small words with big thinking.
Construction – Forever the Market for Lemons?
At Akerlof we look to provide a platform for considered choice and business improvement – to ensure our customers are enabled to define, evaluate and procure quality through informed decision making.
What’s with this Lemon?
